3

both sat, biting his lips with vexation and looking sullen and disconcerted.
Every trace of embarrassment or agitation had left the
face and manner of Mrs Clifton--She was free and lively, tho'
her veracity was full of tenderness--but it was now the tenderness
the pure tenderness of maternal love, that sought not with
averted and down cast looks to veil the emotions it excited--
her countence was radiant and open as noon day and a
dozen times she caught the little Rosa to her bosom and lavished
on her the fondest carresses--at that moment she felt for
her child, the gratitude felt for one who saves us from
danger. The little girl delighted with this unusual kindness, more
than, returned her mothers fondness and the poor Captain seemed
absolutely forgotten--Julia, looking up and seeing him look vexed
and angry, burst out a laughing and exclaimed, "Come Rosa let us run
away, for the Captain looks as if he would beat us if he
could"-- and away she ran, holding Rosa by her hand, looking
round and shaking her finger significantly at him.
"Yes", exclaimed Captain Mirvan to himself, as he
understood her exalting laugh and triumphant glance--"Yes, but
by heaven you shall not always thus escape me"--He then
in a sullen mood walked backwards and forwards
meditating some future and more efficient attack--he was angry
at himself, and angry with Julia, and as much in vengeance as love
swore he would not be defeated the next time.--It was nesessa-
ry however to conceal such angry feelings--He was aware
that with the high-spirited and high minded Mrs Clifton, his
only chance of success was by softness and persuasion, and he
moulded his counterance and attuned his voice to
insinuating tenderness which gained him an
access into Julia's bosom.
When he entered the drawing room, Rosa was
sitting on her mothers lap, who kept her pressed to her
bosom as her safest shield. The child was full of play and prattle,
and the Captain, altho' he felt more than of inclined to
throw her out of the window, made her the object of his
fondest attention and would feign have played with and carressed
her, had not the child with an instinctive aversion, pushed
him away and clung closer to her mother.